Self-sterilizing device using plasma fields

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for self-sterilizing a surface or other portion of the apparatus and/or sterilizing other objects. Embodiments can utilize self-generated and/or remotely controlled plasma fields for the purpose of self-sterilization and/or sterilization of another object. Embodiments of the invention can have broad applications in procedures and equipment requiring the sterility of devices used for medical procedures, decontamination procedures, drug delivery, sterility of consumer products, and sterility of food preparation equipment and tools.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Divisional application of application U.S. Ser.No. 12/743,625, filed Oct. 1, 2010; which is the U.S. National StageApplication of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2008/084378,filed Nov. 21, 2008; which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/989,496, filed Nov. 21, 2007, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties,including any figures, tables, or drawings.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The generation of plasma due to electrical input has been studied bothexperimentally and theoretically in recent years [see references 1-4].The basic mechanisms inherent in non-equilibrium discharges such asobtained through DC, RF, or microwave excitation have also been utilizedfor ionization purposes, so as to increase the conductivity of air forfurther control with ponderomotive forces generated with an imposedmagnetic field. Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) involves onedielectric coated electrode that is typically exposed at the surface tothe surrounding atmosphere, while another electrode is embedded inside alayer of insulator. The emission of UV light as well as chemicalprocesses in surface plasmas is suitable for decontamination in a shorttimescale and using very low power and heat [see references 5, 6].

It has been found [see reference 5] that with special DBD arrangements,a fast reduction of cells by more than four orders of magnitude ispossible within a few seconds, even for UV resistant cells. Moisan etal. [see reference 7] have observed that in contrast to classicalsterilization where the survival curves of microorganisms under UVirradiation show a unique linear decay, plasma sterilization yieldssurvival diagrams that show three basic mechanisms. First, a rapiddirect destruction by plasma related UV irradiation of the geneticmaterial of microorganisms; second, a gradual erosion of themicroorganisms due to intrinsic photodesorption to form volatilecompounds intrinsic to the microorganisms; and third, erosion of themicroorganisms due to etching from radicals formed due to plasmaionization. Together, plasma sterilization is much (order of magnitude)faster than the traditional sterilization process.

Traditionally, in plasma discharge, a DC voltage potential is placedacross two electrodes. If the voltage potential is gradually increased,at the breakdown voltage V_(B), the current and the amount of excitationof the neutral gas becomes large enough to produce a visible plasma.According to Paschen's law, the breakdown voltage for a particular gasdepends on the product (p×d) of the gas pressure and the distancebetween the electrodes. For any gas there is unique p×d value referredto as the Stoletow point where volumetric ionization is the maximum. TheStoletow point for air requires a minimum V_(B)=360 V and p× d=5.7Torr-mm.

Unfortunately near atmospheric pressure, the allowable electrode spacingnecessary for maximum volumetric ionization is d=7.7 μm. In someapplications, for example in high-speed air vehicles, this is animpractical limitation. A solution to this limitation comes from therecent development of RF glow discharge using an a.c. voltage potentialacross the electrodes. The frequency of the current must be such thatwithin a period of the a.c. cycle, electrons must travel to theelectrodes and generate a charge, while the heavier ions cannot. Basedon reported experiments [see reference 2] in air or other gases at760±25 torr, a homogeneous glow can be maintained at 3 to 20 kHz RF andrms electrode voltage between 2 to 15 kV. A critical criterion for suchdischarge in air is to meet the electric field requirement of about 30kV/cm. While the voltage is high, only a few milliamps current isrequired to sustain a RF driven barrier discharge.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus forself-sterilizing or self-decontaminating a surface or other portion ofthe apparatus and/or sterilizing or decontaminating other objects.Embodiments can utilize self-generated and/or remotely controlled plasmafields for the purpose of self-sterilization and/or sterilization ofanother object. Embodiments of the invention can have broad applicationsin procedures and equipment requiring the sterility of devices used fordecontamination, medical procedures, drug delivery, sterility ofconsumer products, and sterility of food preparation equipment andtools. Various embodiments of the invention can involve eliminating orgreatly reducing foreign materials on a surface of the device, or othersurface, through the use of a plasma field generated by the device. Incertain embodiments, matter on or near a surface, such as livingorganisms, tissue, germs, bacteria, pathogens, biological agents,viruses, metabolically inert agents, pyrons, organism matter, andmicroorganisms, can be killed and/or vaporized from the surface, and/ornon-living materials, such as chemical agents or other types ofpotentially harmful materials can be vaporized or otherwise renderedless harmful. Plasma field generation may also include the generation ofionized air, radicals, photons, and/or ultraviolet light. Specificembodiments are also capable of sensing the surface or environment todetermine if the surface is potentially contaminated, contaminated,and/or not sterile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C show a flat flexible self-sterilizing laminate surface inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a self-sterilization device incorporatinga rollable surface that can be utilized to sterilize other objects.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a self-sterilization container.

FIG. 4 shows various shapes of self-sterilization surfaces with variousportions of surfaces performing active sterilization, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a retractable self-sterilization device inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 6A shows an embodiment of a self-sterilizing braided tube.

FIG. 6B shows an embodiment of a catheter incorporating the braided tubeof FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a self-sterilizing cloth.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a self-sterilizing structure having aplurality of apertures there through.

FIGS. 9A-9F show various electrode layouts that allow self-sterilizationof a surface.

FIGS. 10A-10G show the results of plasma generation on a surface withyeast at 1.5 kV, 14 kHz, at about 20 W, after 1 minute of excitation.

FIG. 11 shows the qualitative nature of the survival curve for yeast ona substrate having 40 μl of yeast solution, the qualitative nature ofthe survival curve for yeast on a surface having 10 μl of yeastsolution, and the qualitative nature of the survival curve for anotherexperiment with respect to yeast on a surface having 10 μl of yeastsolution.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus forself-sterilizing a surface or other portion of the apparatus and/orsterilizing other objects. Embodiments can utilize self-generated and/orremotely controlled plasma fields for the purpose of self-sterilizationand/or sterilization of another object. Embodiments of the invention canhave broad applications in procedures and equipment requiring devicesfor decontamination, medical procedures, drug delivery, sterility ofconsumer products, and sterility of food preparation equipment andtools. The sterilization and/or decontamination can reduce or eliminate,for example, pathogens, bacteria, chemical agents, biological agents, orother materials. The plasma can change the chemical structure and cangasify materials on the surface.

In specific embodiments of the invention, surfaces can be sterilized inaccordance with appropriate International Organization for Sterilization(ISO) standards. Examples of ISO standards that can be met byembodiments of the subject invention include, but are not limited to,ISO 17664:2004—Sterilization of medical devices—Information to beprovided by the manufacturer for the processing of resterilizablemedical devices, ISO 11138-4:2006—Sterilization of health careproducts—Biological indicators, ISO 11737-2:1998—Sterilization ofmedical devices—Microbiological methods—Part 2: Tests of sterilityperformed in the validation of a sterilization process, ISO14161:2000—Sterilization of health care products—Biologicalindicators—Guidance for the selection, use and interpretation ofresults, ISO 14937:2000—Sterilization of health care products—Generalrequirements for characterization of a sterilizing agent and thedevelopment, validation and routine control of a sterilization processfor medical devices, ISO 11737-1:2006—Sterilization of medicaldevices—Microbiological methods—Part 1: Determination of a population ofmicroorganisms on products. In addition, various embodiments can meetthe standard provided in Seymour S Block. 2000 Disinfection,Sterilization, and Preservation 5^(th) ed. Lippencott, Williams, andWilkens.

Embodiments can incorporate electrode structures for providingsterilizing plasmas into a variety of surfaces that can beself-sterilized. Surfaces having a variety of shapes can be incorporatedwith embodiments of the invention. A flat laminate surface can be usedwith, for example, a cutting board, a surgical surface, or a scalpel andcan incorporate an array of embedded electrodes for producing anappropriate plasma. In a specific embodiment, a voltage between 2-20 kVcan be applied across electrodes. In another specific embodiment, apeak-to-peak ac voltage of 2-20 kV can be applied, and in a morespecific embodiment the ac voltage is 1-50 kHz RF voltage. FIGS. 1A-Cshow an embodiment of a flat, flexible, self-sterilizing laminatesurface, with cross-sectional views (FIGS. 1B and 1C) of the laminatesurface. The laminate surface can have a dielectric layer positioned inbetween two electrode layers. Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, a layer ofground electrodes are positioned apart from a layer of poweredelectrodes. The powered electrodes and the ground electrodes form acrossing pattern. Driving the powered electrodes with a voltage relativeto the grounded electrodes produces a plasma that sterilizes and/ordecontaminates the active surface. The electrodes can have a variety ofshapes and sizes. FIG. 9A shows an electrode pattern that is shiftedwhen compared to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1C; while FIGS. 9B and9C show other electrode configurations that can be used with the surfaceof FIGS. 1A-1C, where FIG. 9B shows the use of a ground plate. Otherelectrode configurations can also be used. In various embodiments, theelectrodes can be exposed to the environment in contact with thesurface, the electrodes can be embedded in the surface, the electrodescan have a layer of material, such as hydrophobic thin insulating layer,TEFLON™, or a dielectric material layer between the electrode and theenvironment, or the electrodes can be structured as a combination ofexposed, embedded, and covered. FIG. 9F shows an embodiment with acoating over the electrodes such that the electrodes are not exposed tothe environment. The outer surface of the coating can then be sterilizedvia the plasma generated by the electrodes via electric fieldspenetrating the coating.

In a further embodiment, a surface like the surface shown in FIGS.1A-1C, can sterilize itself as well as sterilize specific objects placedon the surface. In this way, an embodiment of the invention can includea plate, or other structure having a self-sterilizing surface, and oneor more objects sized and made of appropriate material to be placed onthe plate such that the objects can also be sterilized. The plate canhave structures, such as indentations or extended portions, thatfacilitate positioning the object and/or enabling the plasma generatedto sterilize the objects placed on the plate. There can be specificsettings to sterilize the plate, to sterilize a first number and/or typeof object and to sterilize a second number and/or type of object, wherethe settings can have, for example, different powers and/or durations.An example of such an embodiment is a surgical plate and a variety ofsurgical instruments. Such sterilization or decontamination can occurautomatically without user intervention, or by way of user input. In afurther specific embodiment, referring to FIG. 2, sensors can beincorporated on the retractable portion of the sterilizer that candetect matter that needs to be sterilized. The sensors upon detection ofsuch material, can cause the sterilizer to turn on the plasma tosterilize the surface the matter is detected on. In this way, the plasmaneed not be on all the time.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a device that can sterilize a surfaceseparate from the device by rolling over the separate surface, so as toprovide a plasma over the device surface that can roll over othersurfaces. As shown in FIG. 2, electrodes can be incorporated into anouter cylindrical surface that can roll over other surfaces. Again, theelectrodes can be positioned on the surface, embedded into the surface,exposed to the environment, or have a coating between electrode and theenvironment. An interlock switch can act to push the retractablesterilizer out of the device body and retract the retractable sterilizerback into the device body. Other applications for the use of electrodeson outer cylindrical surfaces include, but are not limited to, scopes orprobes, diagnostic surfaces, and laboratory testing equipment. Theinterlock can protect inadvertent exposure from the plasma field. Theinsulated spacers shown in FIG. 2 can allow the outer surface of thecylindrical retractable sterilizer to be located proximate a surface tobe sterilized and/or decontaminated with touching the surface. The useof the spacers can allow the separation between the surface of thesterilizer and the surface to be sterilized and/or decontaminated to becontrolled. In the cross-section of the cylindrical portion of thesterilizer shown in FIG. 2, the inner electrode is shown as a continuoushollow cylindrical and the outer electrodes are shown as longitudinalstrips, separated from the inner electrode by an insulating material,such as a dielectric material. Other electrode shapes can be used withthe device of FIG. 2, including, but not limited to, longitudinal stripsfor the inner electrode, ring electrodes spaced longitudinally for theouter and/or inner electrodes, or other combinations. The interior ofthe cylindrical portion of the sterilizer can be hollow or filled withone or more materials.

As shown in FIG. 3, electrodes can be incorporated into an innercylindrical surface. Other applications for the use of electrodes oninner cylindrical surfaces include, but are not limited to, drugdelivery ports, beakers, flasks, and laboratory pipettes. The switch canbe used to turn on and off the electrodes. In an embodiment, theelectrodes can be embedded in the inner surface of the container. In aspecific embodiment, a fluid can be brought in through the tubing. Thetubing can allow entry of an electrical connection, blood, IV drugs, orother materials. The electrodes are shown on the container innersurface, but could extend over the lip and/or the outer surface as well.The bottom of the container can also incorporate electrodes. Thecontainer can have many cross-sectional shapes, such as rectangular. Ina specific embodiment, the electrodes incorporated into the innercylindrical surface can provide a discharge that extends sufficientlyabove a surface, such that the electrodes create a plasma to, forexample, sterilize a fluid, such as air, flowing through the cylinder.As discussed with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the electrode canhave a variety of configurations and shapes.

As shown in FIG. 4, electrodes can be incorporated into spherical,doughnut, or other curved shaped surfaces for use in, for example,implantable diagnostic probes and/or laboratory probes that need to besterilized between tests or samples. In an embodiment, a sphericalsurface can roll on another surface to sterilize the other surface.

As shown in FIG. 5, electrodes can be incorporated into a device suchthat the electrodes can be positioned to produce a plasma so as tosterilize a needle shaft and tip or scalpel. In an embodiment, theelectrodes in FIG. 5 can reside near the inner wall of the interior ofthe device with the needle or knife retracting into the interior of thedevice for sterilization. Alternatively, the electrodes can be designedto extend out of the interior of the device to sterilize the needle orknife and the electrodes can then retract into the interior of thedevice after sterilization.

In an alternative embodiment, one or more first electrodes can bepositioned on the needle shaft, or other object to be sterilized, andone or more second electrodes can be positioned on the inner wall, orother position on the body section into which the needle retracts. Avoltage can then be applied between the first and second electrodes tocreate a plasma to sterilize the needle and/or inner wall. The spacingbetween the needle and the inner wall can be controlled to control theplasma appropriately. In a further embodiment, electrodes can beextended into the needle, or other object and create plasma via theelectrodes inserted into the needle or by applying a voltage from theelectrodes inserted into the needle to electrodes on the inside surfaceof the needle.

The device shown in FIG. 5 can be used with, for example, IV needles,hypodermic needles, other needles used for medical procedures,diagnostic catheters, implantable devices, and scalpels. A specificembodiment is directed to an IV Cannula that self-sterilizes beforeinsertion into patient and after it is removed from patient to minimizecontamination or accidental infection to the patient or caregiver. Theembodiment shown in FIG. 5 can be incorporated with medical devices suchas a scalpel, syringe, catheter, electrode or other device that canself-sterilize during a medical procedure. For example, the scalpel canself-sterilize during use to alleviate cross-contamination between theinfected and healthy part of the patients body or between patients.Typical usage is in triage or emergency situations or where there is alimited supply of medical devices or instruments. In specificembodiments, tolerances from submillimeter up to a millimeter betweenthe needle or scalpel and the inner wall may be implemented. Theelectrode configurations can be similar to those discussed with respectto the embodiment of FIG. 3, as shown in the cross-section in FIG. 5,which also shows a retractable needle. A variety of electrodeconfigurations can be used in accordance with the invention toaccomplish the sterilization and/or decontamination. As an example, aportion of the inner wall can have electrodes and can be rotated aroundthe needle, or the needle can be rotated to pass by the electrodes, tosterilize the entire needle surface. Likewise, a longitudinal portion ofthe inner wall can incorporate electrodes and the needle can besterilized as it passes by the electrodes while being retracted orextended.

FIG. 6A shows an embodiment having a braided electrode incorporated intoa tube, where a plasma can sterilize the inside surface of the tube, theoutside surface of the tube, an object positioned around the tube,and/or an object inserted into the tube. Additional embodiments can bedirected to a rod, such as a solid rod, that incorporates braidedelectrodes on the outer surface of the rod, or electrodes built into theouter surface of the rod, where the electrodes can have a variety ofconfigurations including electrodes extending along the longitudinalaxis of the rod, electrodes forming rings around the rod and/or otherelectrode orientations. Embodiments that can incorporate the tube ofFIG. 6A include, but are not limited to, balloon catheters, urinarycatheters, guiding catheters, ablation devices, and implantable/stentdevices. Other non-medical applications can also incorporate the tube ofFIG. 6A. A specific embodiment of a catheter incorporating the tube ofFIG. 6A is shown in FIG. 6B. The braiding is used as a conductivepathway for generating plasma while also allowing the tube to bendwithout kinking. In a specific embodiment, medical devices are providedthat can self-sterilize in a specific area or zone of the device toallow the continuous administration of drugs or treatments whilemaintaining a sterile barrier to the patient or care-giver. Otherelectrode structures can be utilized as well. The tube can have aplastic layer with wire electrodes braided around the inside and/oroutside of the tube so as to leave spaces between the wire electrodes orotherwise prevent contact of adjacent wire electrodes. With one braid,the cross-hatching wire electrodes can be opposite electrodes. Some wireelectrodes can be dielectrics to keep metal electrodes from touching.Again, a variety of electrode configurations and/or shapes can be usedwith the tube.

FIG. 7 shows a cloth or woven surface incorporating electrodes to cleanor protect a device, patient, or any surface that needs a sterilebarrier. The cloth or woven surface can be placed adjacent to surfacesand/or portions of items to be sterilized, and the plasma generated bythe cloth or woven surface can sterilize such surfaces and/or portionsof items. In such embodiments, regarding current ranges, it is desirableto minimize the currents. In an embodiment, the basic fabric or surfacecan be an insulating material such as TEFLON™. The embodiment shown inFIG. 7, as well as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, 4, and 6A-6Bcan be incorporated with medical devices that can self-sterilize in aspecific area or zone on the device to minimize the buildup of surfacecontaminants, proteins, collagen, scar tissue or other materials toextend the operation, safety and efficacy of the device.

Referring to FIG. 8, a surface similar to a LCD television or computerdisplay or a plasma television display can have an active surfacecomposed of a matrix of individual pixilated electrode pairs. A pixelshaped electrode matrix, with appropriate addressing through abackplane, can be used. The pixel electrodes can have a variety ofshapes. The pixel electrodes can have cross sectional diameters, orlateral dimensions, in the range of 1 μm to 100 μm or, even morepreferably, in the range of 1 μm to 10 μm, and can be, for example,printed out or manufactured in manner similar to existing television andcomputer displays. In such embodiments regarding current ranges, it canbe desirable to minimize the currents. FIG. 9D shows the top of asurface having pixilated electrodes. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9D,each row of electrodes is driven by a sample input. In otherembodiments, each pixel can be individually addressed, or the pixels canbe grouped to meet the needs of the situation. Although ground plane isused in the embodiment of FIG. 9D, other electrode structures can beused for the electrode away from plasma generation as well. FIG. 9Eshows an embodiment with strip electrodes and a ground plane. The crosssection shown in FIG. 9B can show the cross section of FIG. 9E. FIG. 9Fshows an embodiment having coating over the electrodes. The coating onthe bottom of FIG. 9F allows plasma to be created on the bottom.Alternative embodiments can be used as insulating material for thecoating on the bottom such that plasma would not be created on thebottom.

In a specific embodiment, referring to FIG. 8, ablation can be used toform the electrode shapes and/or patterns. Ablation, or otherappropriate techniques can be used to form bores through the surface,from one side to another side, such that plasma can secrete within thebores by, for example, applying a voltage from the electrode on one sideto the electrode on the other side. The plasma within the bores cansterilize and/or decontaminate a fluid flowing through the bores so asto purify the fluid. In this case, the surface of the bores can also besterilized or decontaminated. Such bores can have cross-sectionaldimensions on the order of a micron up to a mm, so as to allow theplasma to reach the entire cross-sectional flow of the fluid through thebores. In a specific embodiment, the diameter of cylindrical bores areless than 1 mm. In further embodiments, the diameter of the bores is inthe range of 1 μm to 100 μm, or 1 μm to 1000 μm, at atmosphericpressure. Embodiments can be operated at pressures other thanatmospheric.

Specific embodiments can involve the ability to control segments, orselected portions, of the surface that are sterilized or decontaminatedby controlling which electrodes are activated. In a specific embodimenthaving a pixilated electrode structure, any combination of electrodescan be selected so as to control which areas of the surface aresterilized or decontaminated.

Power can be supplied to the electrodes in various embodiments of theinvention by a variety of sources, including ac, dc, batteries, andwireless. Wireless power transfer can allow the device to have a coatingover the entire body that seals the inside of the device fromcontamination from the environment.

Embodiments of the subject invention can incorporate electrodes having avariety of electrode structures, materials, and components. In specificembodiments, the electrodes can also be used as sensors. The activesurface could be coated with a thin layer of polymer, glass or otherdielectric material to provide an inert working surface for the user.Such coatings can also inhibit the formation of electrode corrosionand/or oxidation on the active surface. The coating used to provide aninert working surface can be coated with a conductive or semi-conductivematerial, such as carbon nanotubes, nanowires, conductive polymersand/or nanorods to enhance the generating of plasma on the coatedsurface.

Specific embodiments can incorporate the electrodes and electro-activecomponents composed of any or all of the following: (1)electro-conductive polymers can be used in the construction of thedevice to control surface activation, channeling of plasma energy,perform localized or zone specific sterilization, and to lower the costof manufacture; (2) transparent conducting films, such as, but notlimited to, carbon nanotube films, surfaces coated with clusters ofnanorods or nanowires, or surfaces coated with electro conductivepolymers, can be used in the construction of the device, such as forsensors, to control surface activation, channeling of plasma energy,perform localized or zone specific sterilization, and to lower the costof manufacture; and (3) material, described in (1) or (2), or polymers,doped with nanoparticles of silver, gold, copper, aluminum or otherconductive or semi-conductive materials to act as sensors and/or tocontrol surface activation, channeling of plasma energy, performlocalized or zone specific sterilization, and to lower the cost ofmanufacture. The electrodes can be coated with a conductive orsemi-conductive material such as carbon nanotubes, nanowires, conductivepolymers and/or nanorods to enhance the generation of plasma. Thedielectric barrier material onto, or into which, the electrodes arepositioned that is exposed to the environment can be coated and/orinclude a conductive or semi-conductive material, such as carbonnanotubes, nanowires, conductive polymers and/or nanorods to enhance thegeneration of plasma.

Embodiments of the invention can operate with little, or no, interactionfrom a user and can sense contamination of the surface and/or potentialcontamination of the surface and self-sterilize or self-decontaminatethe surface. Sensing potential contamination of the surface can beaccomplished by sensing the physical environment of the surface, such aswhen the surface has been contacted or what materials are proximate thesurface. As an example, the subject device can utilize a sensor capableof detecting anthrax, and when the sensor detects anthrax the device cansterilize or decontaminate all or portion of the surface, such as theportion of the surface most likely contaminated, or can sterilize ordecontaminate a surface proximate the device surface, through theproduction of a plasma. The device can accomplish such actionsautomatically or can provide input to a user to allow the user toinitiate the action.

The sensors used with specific embodiments can also be coated with aconductive or semi-conductive material, such as carbon nanotubes,nanowires, conductive polymers and/or nanorods to enhance sensorsensitivity and/or specificity. Likewise, any coating used to produce aninert working surface over the electrodes can be coated with aconductive or semi-conductive material, such as carbon nanotubes,nanowires, conductive polymers and/or nanorods to enhance sensorsensitivity and/or specificity.

The application of sterilization techniques in accordance with thesubject invention is also suited for air cleaners, self-cleaning ovenembodiments, bathroom door plates, door handles, cooking utensils,cutting boards, conveyor belts, storage containers, and handles forshopping carts. Also a HEPA-like filtration device with low powerconsumption can be achieved by incorporating the EHD micropump taught ininternational application no. PCT/US2008/071262, filed Jul. 25, 2008,not yet published, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety, where the dust mite/microorganisms can be vaporized duringtheir transit through the plasma excited active filtration membrane.

Each device can utilize electrodes, insulators, and electro-activecomponents to create sterilizing plasmas. While the standard electrodesand insulating materials are reasonable for all ambient conditions, hightemperature applications may be accommodated by appropriate choice ofthe dielectric (for example, glass-mica ceramic) and electrodes (forexample, metallic perovskites). The plasma fields used to generate theself-sterilization process can be controlled by some or all of thevariables listed in Table I.

TABLE I Variable Typical Operation Range Considerations Voltage 0.1 V-10kV RMS, 10 V-10 kV RMS, or DC Current μA-A Device Specific PulseFrequency 50 Hz-1 MHz or DC Distribution of Top, bottom, outside orinside Device Specific electrodes surface. Ambient pressure 0.1 mTorr-10bars Device Specific Surface Exposure Time Micro Seconds to SecondsDevice Specific based on electrode density and type of contaminationSurface Coating Thin Polymer, glass or Device Specific dielectricmaterial Electrode Placement Number of Electrodes per Device Specificunit area Electrode Materials Copper, platinum, and many Metals,conductive alloys polymers, Nanotubes and Nanotube films ConductingMaterials Copper, platinum, and alloys Metals, conductive polymers,doped polymers, Nanotubes and Nanotube films, nanomaterials InsulatingMaterials TEFLON ™, PCB, FR4, and Plastics, doped polymers, CeramicsNanotubes and Nanotube films, nanomaterials Ionizing RadiationAtmospheric temperature and pressure

The plasma can be made continuous by using pulsed excitation of theelectrodes in the range of 50 Hz to 10 MHz, and, in a specificembodiment, in the range of 0.1 kHz to 10 MHz. Direct current (DC) canalso be used, such as pulsed DC. Specific embodiments can use apotential difference of 10V-50 kV, and, in a specific embodiment,0.1V-10 kV DC. Plasma can be generated by exciting the adjacentelectrodes in a phase controlled manner under ambient pressure ranging0.1 mTorr-10 bars. Current levels from 1 μA to 1 A can be used infurther specific embodiments and 1 μA to 100 A in further specificembodiments.

Various embodiments of the subject invention can improve the ability tominimize the transmission of infectious diseases of the blood, urine,saliva, or the spread of bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, pathogens orother forms of contamination. Embodiments can be incorporated in thefood processing equipment and surfaces to minimize the growth ofbacteria or other contaminants. Further embodiments, such as anadaptation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, can be used in airpurification devices that have self-sterilizing plates or air filtersused for respiratory care including: masks, hospital rooms, airplane airfiltration, clean rooms, or involve air passing between, or throughperforations in, surfaces such as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. A mask can befitted with self-sterilizing electrodes such that the mask can be wornand then self-sterilized when laid down.

Devices that can be applied to contaminated surface to sterilize them orprovide a sterile barrier. A self-sterilizing electrode cloth, forexample, as shown in FIG. 7, that can be wrapped around or coverlaboratory diagnostic equipment in contact with the patient. After theprocedure, the cloth is removed and then activated to self-sterilize andthen reused for the next patient or procedure. An example of anapplication for various embodiments of the invention includes triage,where caregivers dealing with many injured people and going from personto person can use a device that can self-sterilize between patients.This can allow reuse of items that might otherwise be discarded orunusable until sterilization by a separate apparatus.

In various embodiments of the invention, plasmas can be generated forsterilization and/or decontamination via a variety of techniques. Suchplasmas can be generated at atmospheric pressure, below atmosphericpressure, or above atmospheric pressure. Examples of such techniquesinclude, but are not limited to, the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)[See reference 12], the resistive barrier discharge (RBD) [See reference13], and the atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) [See reference 14],all three references of which are incorporated herein in their entiretyfor the purposes of teaching how to generate the appropriate plasma. TheRBD can be driven by DC or AC power sources, the DBD can operate atfrequencies in the kHz range, and the APPJ can use a 13.56 MHz RF powersource. These techniques can generate relatively large volumes ofnon-equilibrium, low temperature plasmas at or near atmosphericpressure. Specific embodiments produce plasmas having electron densityin the range of 10⁹ cm⁻³-10¹¹ cm⁻³ and plasma power densities in therange of 10-300 mW/cm³. In another specific embodiment, the plasma canbe produced via floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge(FE-DBD).

Embodiments of the invention can include dielectric barrier discharge(DBD), where a first dielectric coated electrode, or set of electrodes,is exposed at the surface to the surrounding atmosphere (or covered witha coating) and a second electrode, or set of electrodes, is embeddedinside a layer of insulator. Where a thin surface coating is in contactwith the environment and plasma is generated by electrodes under thesurface coating. A voltage can be applied between the first electrode,or set of electrodes, and the second electrode, or set of electrodes, tocreate a plasma at the surface. In order to disperse the plasma in acontinuous fashion over the surface, phase lagged electrode circuitrymay be employed. The phase lagged electrode circuitry applies voltagesacross corresponding electrodes from the first set of electrodes and thesecond set of electrodes, which form electrode pairs, such thatdifferent electrode pairs are excited with voltages having a phase lagcompared with the voltage applied to the adjacent electrode pair. In anembodiment, the electrode spacing in each direction is such that thedischarge is on both sides of the electrode. One set of electrodes maybe powered with a pulsing a.c. or d.c. voltage and the other electrodeset can be grounded. For a.c. voltage various waveforms can be utilized,such as sinusoidal, ramp, and sawtooth waveforms. The electrodes mayalso be operated at a beat frequency. In addition, application of fixedpotential (d.c.) can be implemented.

Specific embodiments of electrode structures are shown in FIGS. 9A-9F.The electrode structures shown in FIGS. 9A-9F can also be driven with accurrents. The electrode spacing may vary from a few microns to severalmm. The plasma exposure time required for self-sterilization may varybetween a few microseconds to several milliseconds. For completeeradication of some organic substance exposure for several seconds maybe necessary.

Referring to FIG. 8, an embodiment of the invention is shown. A laminatematerial having layers of electrodes, dielectrics, and sensors can beused to produce the embodiment shown in FIG. 8. A series of fine laserablated holes or slots can be produced to create apertures through thelaminate material. Equipotential surfaces, P and G, can be maintained ata voltage difference. An alternating or direct voltage may be appliedacross surfaces P and G. A plasma discharge can be generated through theholes and ejected outward in one or both directions. In this way, thesurface can be self-sterilized on one or both surfaces. Insulatormaterials such as TEFLON™, PCB, FR4, and ceramics can be used in thelaminate material to provide insulation between surfaces P and G.Electrode material such as copper, platinum, and alloys can be used aselectrode materials for surfaces P and G. Selection of materials and theresulting surface tension can impact the selection of hole size.

Stretchable material can be used in order to control pore patterns. Inan embodiment, the self-sterilizing laminate material can beincorporated with technology used in autoclaving equipment, gammasterilization, sterile materials, chemicals, and/or processes thatsterilize equipment and devices. In specific a embodiment, theself-sterilizing lamination material can be incorporated into, forexample fabricated into, enclosures to be used in applications requiringautoclaving, gamma sterilization, or storage of sterile materials.

Various embodiments of the invention can incorporate one or more activesurfaces, where an active surface of a self-sterilizing device can be ineither a sterile state or a contaminated state, and the active surfacecan be re-sterilized by the device through the process ofself-sterilization. The active surface can be used for a particularpurpose, such as keeping a scalpel tip sterile. The sterile state of theactive surface can be continuously or intermittently maintained by thedevice. Active surface self-sterilization can be initiated with orwithout the intervention of an end-user or other person, object, orexternal device. In embodiments, the self-sterilizing device is capableof sensing if the active surface has been contaminated or potentiallycontaminated. The self-sterilizing device can use sensors to determinethe level of contamination and/or the possibility of contamination.Sensors can provide feedback on the state of the device beforesterilization, during sterilization and/or after the sterilization cyclehas occurred. Sensors can be used to provide feedback on the level ofactive surface contamination before sterilization, during sterilization,and/or after the sterilization cycle has occurred. Sterilization of theactive surface can be initiated by the device with or withoutintervention by an end-user, other person, object, or external device.Contamination, or potential contamination, of information collected bythe sensors can be one or more of the following: the location ofcontamination, such as a particular zone of the active surface; theduration of the contact that contaminated the active surface; otherphysical parameters associated with the contact, such as pressure,temperature, or movement on the active surface or movement of theself-sterilizing device.

A variety of sensor designs and placements can be used. In anembodiment, a sensor can be the plasma electrode or part of the plasmaelectrode operating in a sensing mode, instead of a sterilizing mode. Anexample of such a sensor includes a capacitive or continuity sensor. Asensor can be integrated with or located next to a plasma electrode. Anexample of such a sensor is a pressure sensor. A sensor can be locatedin proximity to the active surface, such as with an infrared curtain. Asensor can be located in the self-sterilizing device. An example of sucha sensor is a start/stop switch and timer. Another example of such asensor is an accelerometer to detect movement by the user. A sensor canbe located at a remote location from the device. An example of aremotely located sensor is a sensor having a wireless link to a remotecontrol location, such as a camera watching the device or a robot ordevice that enters a contaminated space and then self-sterilizes beforeor after leaving the contaminated space. Other sensor designs andplacements can also be implemented in accordance with embodiments of theinvention.

A variety of sensor types can be employed as well. Safety interlockssuch as infrared curtains, capacitive lockout, or other means ofdetection during the sterilization cycle can be used for user/patientsafety. The following are examples of sensors that could be used forsensing, feedback and control of the active surface or the deviceitself: infrared beam to provide a curtain over the active surface ordevice; radio frequency field to provide a curtain over the activesurface or device; motion sensor to detect movement over the activesurface or of the device; acoustic beam to detect movement over theactive surface or of the device; temperature sensors to determinecontact by another object or change in the device; pressure sensors todetermine contact by another person or object or change in the device;capacitive sensors to determine contact by another person or object orchange in the device; and conductivity sensors to determine contact byanother person or object or change in the device. As an example, aninfrared beam can be used to provide a curtain over the active surfaceto detect when the surface is touched and may, therefore, needsterilization, or to monitor build up on the active surface. As anotherexample, an accelerometer can be used to detect movement of the device.

EXAMPLE—Device State Diagram for Embodiment of a Self-Sterilizing Device

The following is a device state diagram for an embodiment of aself-sterilizing device in accordance with the subject invention. Thedevice can indicate its state to a user through the use of a visualindicator such as red, yellow and/or green lights, or by a variety ofother means such as a wireless signal to communicate with a Bluetoothenabled device.

STEP DEVICE STATE COMMENT 1. OFF No Power to Device 2. ON Power toDevice 3. CALIBRATION Self-Calibration Mode of Device and Sensors 4.SENSE ACTIVE Has the Device just been powered up (y/n)? SURFACE DoesActive Surface need to be re-sterilized (y/n)? 5. CHECK INTERLOCK Isanything contacting the Active Surface (y/n)? (Open or Closed) OK toProceed with Self-Sterilization of Active Surface (y/n)? 6. INTERLOCKOPEN GOTO STAND-BY MODE Feedback State to User (see below) 7. INTERLOCKCLOSED Initiate SELF-STERILIZE CYCLE Feedback State to User 8.SELF-STERILIZE Sterilize Active Surface or Part of Active Surface CYCLEas needed 9. STAND-BY MODE Sense Active Surface for re-contamination orpossible contamination Feedback State to Device and User GOTO STEP 4ABOVE

The following is an example of how a Self-Sterilizing device couldoperate and interact with a user:

-   -   1. The device would indicate its current state through the use        of an indicator light located near the active surface. The        device could provide feedback to the user via other mechanisms,        such as small display or a wireless connection to a remote        computer.    -   2. In this example, a colored LED light is used. The light could        indicate a red, yellow or green color or indicate all three        colors at the same time.    -   3. When the device is powered on, the device performs a        calibration self-test. All indicator lights (red, green &        yellow) would be turned on. The self-calibration self-test        checks to verify the device power system, sensors, active        surface, hardware and software are operating within        specifications.    -   4. After the self-calibration self-test, the device would sense        if the active surface is currently being touched by a user or        external device. If a user is touching the device, the indicator        light would turn yellow and a safety interlock would trigger.        The device would go into standby mode. The device will remain in        standby mode until it is not being touched.    -   5. Once the active surface is free, the device will perform the        initial self-sterilization cycle. The indicator light would turn        red during self-sterilization cycle.    -   6. Once self-sterilization cycle is complete, the indicator        light would turn green.    -   7. When the user picks up and uses the device or the device        senses that it may be contaminated, the indicator light will        turn yellow, a safety interlock would trigger and the device        would go into standby mode waiting to re-sterilize again.    -   8. The steps above repeat as needed.

Example 1

This example pertains to a device capable of self-sterilizing a surfaceof the device. FIGS. 10A-10G show the results of plasma generation on asurface with yeast, at 1.5 kV, 14 kHz, at about 20 W, after various timeperiods up to 1 minute of excitation. FIG. 10A shows the surface beforeexcitation with 100 μl of yeast solution, where the yeast solutioncontains 10⁹ spores/ml, and the surface after 1 minute of electrodeexcitation. FIG. 10B shows the surface before excitation with 10 μl ofyeast solution, where the yeast solution contains 10⁹ spores/ml, and thesurface after 1 minute of electrode excitation. FIGS. 10C-10G show thesurface with 10 μl of yeast solution after 0 seconds, 10 seconds, 20seconds, 40 seconds, and 60 seconds, respectively, of excitation. FIG.11 shows the qualitative nature of a survival curve, with time inseconds on the horizontal axis and exponent of number of spores on thevertical axis, showing the qualitative nature of the survival curve(squares) for a surface with 40 μl of yeast solution, the qualitativenature of a survival curve (triangles) for a surface with 10 μl of yeastsolution, and the qualitative nature of the survival curve (straight)for a surface with 10 μl of yeast solution.

Various embodiments of the subject invention will now be described.

Embodiment 1 is a device capable of sterilizing or decontaminating atleast a portion of a surface of the device, comprising:

a surface; and

a means for generating a plasma that sterilizes or decontaminates atleast a portion of the surface.

Embodiment 2 is the device of embodiment 1, wherein the means forgenerating the plasma comprises:

one or more first electrodes located proximate the surface;

one or more second electrodes located proximate the one or more firstelectrodes;

a power source for applying a voltage across at least one of the one ormore first electrodes and at least one of the one or more secondelectrodes so as to generate the plasma that sterilizes ordecontaminates at least a portion of the surface.

Embodiment 3 is the device of embodiment 1, wherein the means forgenerating the plasma comprises a means for resistive barrier discharge.

Embodiment 4 is the device of embodiment 1, wherein the means forgenerating the plasma comprises a means for dielectric barrierdischarge.

Embodiment 5 is the device of embodiment 1, wherein the means forgenerating the plasma comprises a means for producing an atmosphericpressure plasma jet.

Embodiment 6 is the device of embodiment 1, wherein the means forgenerating the plasma comprises a means for floating electrodedielectric barrier discharge.

Embodiment 7 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the device is asurgical surface.

Embodiment 8 is the device of embodiment 2, further comprising one ormore sensors for detecting potential contamination of the surface orcontamination of the surface.

Embodiment 9 is the device of embodiment 8, wherein the at least one ofthe one or more first electrodes are utilized as at least one of the oneor more sensors.

Embodiment 10 is the device of embodiment 9, wherein the at least onefirst electrode utilized as at least one sensor is at least onecapacitive or continuity sensor.

Embodiment 11 is the device of embodiment 8, wherein the one or moresensors are integrated with or located proximate to the one or morefirst electrodes and/or one or more second electrodes.

Embodiment 12 is the device of embodiment 8, wherein the one or moresensors are positioned at a remote location from the surface.

Embodiment 13 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the surface is on alaminate material comprising:

a first electrode layer, wherein the first electrode layer incorporatesthe one or more first electrodes;

a second electrode layer, wherein the second electrode layerincorporates the one or more second electrodes; and

a dielectric layer, wherein the dielectric material of the dielectriclayer is located between the at least one of the one or more firstelectrodes and the at least one of the one or more second electrodesthat the voltage is supplied across to produce plasma.

Embodiment 14 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the at least onefirst electrode and the at least one second electrode are configuredsuch that the voltage applied across the at least one first electrodeand the at least one second electrode results in a dielectric barrierdischarge.

Embodiment 15 is the device of embodiment 14, wherein the at least onefirst electrode and the at least one second electrode are driven as aphase lagged configuration by the power source.

Embodiment 16 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the surface iscurved, wherein the surface is capable of capturing and releasing asample material, wherein the device allows sterilization of the surfacebetween releasing a first sample material and capturing a second samplematerial.

Embodiment 17 is the device of embodiment 16, wherein at least a portionof the surface is spherical.

Embodiment 18 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the device iscapable of holding a fluid in a container portion of the device, whereinthe surface is a surface of the container portion of the device.

Embodiment 19 is the device of embodiment 13, further comprising: aplurality of apertures extending through the laminate material from afirst side to a second side of the laminate material located opposite ofthe laminate material from the first side, wherein the voltage appliedgenerates a plasma discharge through the plurality of apertures, whereinthe surface is a surface of at least one of the plurality of apertures.

Embodiment 20 is the device of embodiment 19, wherein the plasma isejected outward toward the first side, wherein the plasma ejected towardthe first side sterilizes a first outer surface of the first side.

Embodiment 21 is the device of embodiment 19, wherein the plasmadischarge is also ejected toward the second side, wherein the plasmaejected toward the second side sterilizes a second outer surface of thesecond side.

Embodiment 22 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the surface islocated on a first section of the device and the one or more firstelectrodes and the one or more second electrodes are located on a secondsection of the device, such that the first section and the secondsection are moveably connected to each other such that the first sectionand the second section can transition between a first position and asecond position, wherein when the first section and second section arein the first position the one or more first electrodes are locatedproximate the surface such that applying the voltage across the at leastone of the one or more first electrodes and the at least one of the oneor more second electrodes generates the plasma that sterilizes and/ordecontaminates the surface.

Embodiment 23 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the surface and theone or more first electrodes are located on a first section of thedevice and the one or more second electrodes are located on a secondsection of the device, such that the first section and the secondsection are moveably connected to each other such that the first sectionand the second section can transition between a first position and asecond position, wherein when the first section and second section arein the first position the one or more first electrodes are locatedproximate the surface such that applying the voltage across the at leastone of the one or more first electrodes and the at least one of the oneor more second electrodes generates the plasma that sterilizes and/ordecontaminates the surface.

Embodiment 24 is the device of embodiment 22, wherein in the firstposition the first section is retracted into the second section.

Embodiment 25 is the device of embodiment 24, wherein in the firstposition the second section is extended out to surround the firstsection.

Embodiment 26 is the device of embodiment 24, wherein in the firstposition the second section is extended out into the first section.

Embodiment 27 is the device of embodiment 22, wherein the first sectionis selected from the group consisting of: needle shafts, hypodermicneedles, catheters, tubes, scalpels, knives, implantable devices,syringes, electrodes, surgical instruments, food preparation equipment,drug delivery, and cannulas.

Embodiment 28 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the device isselected from the group consisting of: needle shafts, hypodermicneedles, catheters, tubes, scalpels, knives, implantable devices,syringes, electrodes, surgical instruments, food preparation equipment,drug delivery, and cannulas, balloon catheter, urinary catheter, guidingcatheter, ablation device, stent, and implantable device.

Embodiment 29 is the device of embodiment 22, further comprising aninterlock switch, wherein the interlock switch controls the transitionof the first section and the second section between the first positionand the second position.

Embodiment 30 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the surface and theone or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes arelocated on a first section, wherein the first section can be extendedout of a second section of the device such that during generation of theplasma the surface can be moved over at least a portion of an object forsterilization by the plasma, wherein the first section can be retractedback into the second section after sterilization of the object.

Embodiment 31 is the device of embodiment 30, wherein the surface has acylindrical shape.

Embodiment 32 is the device of embodiment 30, further comprising aninterlock switch, wherein the interlock switch controls the extensionand retraction of the first section with respect to the second section.

Embodiment 33 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the surface is aninner surface of the device.

Embodiment 34 is the device of embodiment 33, wherein the surface iscylindrically shaped.

Embodiment 35 is the device of embodiment 33, wherein at least a portionof the surface is concave.

Embodiment 36 is the device of embodiment 33, wherein the device is abeaker or flask.

Embodiment 37 is the device of embodiment 33, wherein the device is adrug delivery port or a pipette.

Embodiment 38 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the surface is aflexible surface.

Embodiment 39 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the surface is awoven surface.

Embodiment 40 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the surfacecomprises TEFLON™.

Embodiment 41 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the one or morefirst electrodes and the one or more second electrodes form a pixilatedelectrode matrix.

Embodiment 42 is the device of embodiment 41, wherein the pixilatedelectrodes have a cross-sectional diameter in the range of 1 μm to 100μm.

Embodiment 43 is the device of embodiment 41, wherein the pixilatedelectrodes have a cross-sectional diameter in the range of 1 μm to 10μm.

Embodiment 44 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the one or morefirst electrodes comprise a first wire electrode, wherein the one ormore second electrodes comprise a second wire electrode, wherein thefirst wire electrode and the second wire electrode are braided.

Embodiment 45 is the device of embodiment 44, wherein the surface is anouter surface of a tube, wherein the braided first wire electrode andsecond wire electrode are positioned within a body of the tube.

Embodiment 46 is the device of embodiment 44, wherein the surface is aninner surface of a tube, wherein the braided first wire electrode andsecond wire electrode are positioned within a body of the tube.

Embodiment 47 is the device of embodiment 46, wherein the tube is atleast part of a medical device selected from the group consisting of: aballoon catheter, urinary catheter, guiding catheter, ablation device,an implantable device, and a stent.

Embodiment 48 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the device is acutting board.

Embodiment 49 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the plasmasubstantially eliminates one or more of the following from the at leasta portion of the surface: living organisms, tissue, germs, bacteria,pathogens, biological agents, viruses, metabolically inert agents,pyrons, organic matter, and microorganisms.

Embodiment 50 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the plasmasterilizes or decontaminates the entire surface.

Embodiment 51 is the device of embodiment 8, wherein the deviceautomatically sterilizes or decontaminates the surface upon the one ormore sensors detecting potential contamination of the surface orcontamination of the surface.

Embodiment 52 is the device of embodiment 2, further comprising acoating over the one or more first electrodes proximate the surface suchthat the one or more electrodes are not exposed to the environment.

Embodiment 53 is the device of embodiment 13, further comprising acoating over the one or more first electrodes proximate the surface suchthat the one or more electrodes are not exposed to the environment.

Embodiment 54 is the device of embodiment 13, wherein the surface of thedielectric coating that would be exposed to the environment is coatedwith a conductive or semi-conductive material that enhances thegeneration of the plasma.

Embodiment 55 is the device of embodiment 54, wherein the conductive orsemi-conductive material comprises one or more of the following: carbonnanotubes, nanowires, conductive polymers, and nanorods.

Embodiment 56 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the one or morefirst electrodes is coated with a conductive or semi-conductive materialthat enhances the generation of the plasma.

Embodiment 57 is the device of embodiment 56, wherein the conductive orsemi-conductive material comprises one or more of the following: carbonnanotubes, nanowires, conductive polymers, and nanorods.

Embodiment 58 is the device of embodiment 13, wherein the one or morefirst electrodes is coated with a conductive or semi-conductive materialthat enhances the generation of the plasma.

Embodiment 59 is the device of embodiment 58, wherein the conductive orsemi-conductive material comprises one or more of the following: carbonnanotubes, nanowires, conductive polymers, and nanorods.

Embodiment 60 is the device of embodiment 8, wherein the one or moresensors are coated with a conductive or semi-conductive material thatenhances the sensitivity and/or specificity of the one or more sensors.

Embodiment 61 is the device of embodiment 60, wherein the conductive orsemi-conductive material comprises one or more of the following: carbonnanotubes, nanowires, conductive polymers, and nanorods.

Embodiment 62 is the device of embodiment 52, wherein the coating iscoated with a second coating of a conductive or semi-conductive materialthat enhances the generation of the plasma.

Embodiment 63 is the device of embodiment 62, wherein the conductive orsemi-conductive material comprises one or more of the following: carbonnanotubes, nanowires, conductive polymers, and nanorods.

Embodiment 64 is the device of embodiment 8, further comprising acoating over the one or more sensors such that the one or more sensorsare not exposed to the environment.

Embodiment 65 is the device of embodiment 64, wherein the coating iscoated with a second coating of a conductive or semi-conductive materialthat enhances the sensitivity and/or specificity of the one or moresensors.

Embodiment 66 is the device of embodiment 65, wherein the conductive orsemi-conductive material comprises one or more of the following: carbonnanotubes, nanowires, conductive polymers, and nanorods.

Embodiment 67 is the device of embodiment 41, further comprising one ormore sensors for detecting potential contamination of the surface orcontamination of the surface.

Embodiment 68 is the device of embodiment 67, wherein the deviceautomatically sterilizes or decontaminates the surface upon the one ormore sensors detecting potential contamination of the surface orcontamination of the surface.

Embodiment 69 is the device of embodiment 68, wherein the device iscapable of sterilizing or decontaminating only portions of the surfacethat the one or more sensors detect potential contamination of thesurface or contamination of the surface by exciting pixilated electrodesin the portions of the surface that the potential contamination of thesurface or contamination of the surface occurs.

Embodiment 70 is the device of embodiment 2, wherein the device iscapable of sterilizing or decontaminating one or more objects positionedon the surface.

Embodiment 71 is the device of embodiment 70, wherein the deviceautomatically sterilizes the object when the objects are positioned onthe surface.

All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, andpublications referred to or cited herein are incorporated by referencein their entirety, including all figures and tables, to the extent theyare not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.

It should be understood that the examples and embodiments describedherein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modificationsor changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in theart and are to be included within the spirit and purview of thisapplication.

REFERENCES

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The invention claimed is:
 1. A device capable of sterilizing ordecontaminating a surface of the device, comprising: one or more firstelectrodes located proximate an entirety of the surface of the device;one or more second electrodes located proximate the one or more firstelectrodes; a power source for applying a voltage across at least one ofthe one or more first electrodes and at least one of the one or moresecond electrodes so as to generate plasma that sterilizes ordecontaminates the entirety of the surface of the device, wherein thesurface is on a laminate material comprising: a first electrode layer,wherein the first electrode layer incorporates the one or more firstelectrodes; a second electrode layer, wherein the second electrode layerincorporates the one or more second electrodes; and a dielectric layer,wherein a dielectric material of the dielectric layer is located betweenthe at least one of the one or more first electrodes and the at leastone of the one or more second electrodes that the voltage is suppliedacross to produce the plasma; and a plurality of apertures extendingthrough the laminate material from a first side to a second side of thelaminate material located opposite of the laminate material from thefirst side, wherein the voltage applied generates a plasma dischargethrough the plurality of apertures, wherein the surface is a surface ofat least one of the plurality of apertures.
 2. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the plasma comprises a dielectric barrier discharge,wherein a dielectric layer covers one of the first electrodes or thesecond electrodes.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein theplasma comprises an atmospheric pressure plasma.
 4. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the device is a surgical surface.
 5. The deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors fordetecting potential contamination of the surface or contamination of thesurface.
 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one ofthe one or more first electrodes are utilized as at least one of the oneor more sensors.
 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the atleast one first electrode utilized as at least one sensor is at leastone capacitive or continuity sensor.
 8. The device according to claim 5,wherein the one or more sensors are integrated with or located proximateto the one or more first electrodes and/or one or more secondelectrodes.
 9. The device according to claim 5, wherein the one or moresensors are positioned at a remote location from the surface.
 10. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first electrodeand the at least one second electrode are configured such that thevoltage applied across the at least one first electrode and the at leastone second electrode results in a dielectric barrier discharge.
 11. Thedevice according to claim 10, wherein the at least one first electrodeand the at least one second electrode are driven as a phase laggedconfiguration by the power source.
 12. The device according to claim 1,wherein the surface is curved, wherein the surface is capable ofcapturing and releasing a sample material, wherein the device allowssterilization of the surface between releasing a first sample materialand capturing a second sample material.
 13. The device according toclaim 12, wherein at least a portion of the surface is spherical. 14.The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is capable ofholding a fluid in a container portion of the device, wherein thesurface is a surface of the container portion of the device.
 15. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the plasma is ejected outwardtoward the first side, wherein the plasma ejected toward the first sidesterilizes a first outer surface of the first side.